Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
  • Servings: 4

    • About This Recipe

    “From Off the Eaten Path Inspired Recipes for Adventurous Cooks by Bob Blumer”

    Ingredients

  • 1 (4lb)whole chickens
  • 1 (16ounce) cans beer( tall boy)
  • 2tablespoonssalt
  • 1teaspoonblack pepper
  • 3tablespoonsdry rub seasonings( your favorite)
  • 2tablespoonsvegetable oil

    • Directions

  • Set up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • On a charcoal grill, this means spreading the coals around the outer edges, but not directly below the food.
  • On a gas grill the outer burners are lit, but not the middle one.
  • Once the grill is covered (which it should always be for indirect grilling) the circulating heat works like a convection oven, so there is no need to turn the food.
  • Remove neck and giblets.
  • Discard.
  • Rinse chicken inside and out; pat dry with paper towels.
  • Rub chicken lightly with oil, then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub.
  • Set aside.
  • Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full).
  • Place beer can on a solid surface.
  • Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can.
  • Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its two legs and the can like a tripod.
  • Cook chicken over high indirect heat, with the grill cover on for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165°F in the breast area and 180°F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife.
  • Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

    • Reviews

  • “5 stars just for the unique factor involved!I used my own barbecue rub for this.I put about 2 tsps. of the rub inside the beer can, too.Chicken was moist and beautiful to behold! Important to note here that a full-flavored beer works better than some of the lighter brands.”

  • “With whole chickens on sale at 49 cents a pound, I had to try this beer can recipe. Exceptional flavor, tender and juicy! I used McCormick Grill Mates for chicken for the rub and also added about a teaspoon full to the beer. Had to make a few adjustments to the charcoal grill so the chicken had room to “stand up” with the cover on. A 4 1/2 lb. chicken took about 90 minutes. I’ll be making this again for sure.”

  • “This is a great way to cook cornish game hens as well! I cook them in the oven at 375 for about an hour. I also put vegetables and spices in the beer such as garlic powder and onions.”

  • “I have done this chicken but not on the barby as i have not got one with the lid so i do it in the oven and it turns out really well,I put garlic and herbs plus slices of lemon under the breast skin. Really yummy. pauline”

  • “Super recipe and sooooo easy.”

  • “i have been doing this for years! we entertain very often in summer and so several different kinds at one time! i inject the chicken with a mixture of cajun spice and beer, and rub the iside with the same, let it marinade in refride by pouring beer on it put them in large ziplock bags for easy marinading) for about 4 hours before grilling. i also add the cajun spice to the beer can that it is cooking on! have also tried several other types of marinde injection with it. lemon pepper is also great! remember to add the same spice to the beer while cooking for extra flavor. butterball chickens are the best to use.”

  • “I recently tried this technique and the family ejoyed it very much.How can you go wrong with anything that combines a Barbeque and Beer!”

  • “OUTSTANDING!!!I just rubbed the chicken with equal parts of pepper, salt, paprika and brown sugar, baked as directed in this recipe and it was delicious! “

  • “I’ve been making a very similar recipe for years. Two slight differences. The main difference is I put a fresh rosemary sprig in the beer can. What a difference. I also rub the chicken & let it sit for at least a few hours up to overnight. Also makes a huge difference. Try it, you won’t be sorry.”

  • “Excellent!Should be renamed Succulent Chicken!Very moist, and full of flavor!I used a tall boy Guinness, rosemary, time and garlic in the can, and Lemon Pepper on the chicken….Good Stuff!”

  • “Super good recipe here.Crispy skin and oh-so-tender on the inside. Really easy to throw together too.With summer grilling around the corner, I’ll definately be making this one again.”

  • “Outstanding! The flavor on this is great but will heavily depend on the rub you decide to use. In any case the bird will be flavorful, moist, and juicy. I had a 5 pound bird and a 12 ounce can of beer and still that worked out ok. So easy to make too. And lots of fun! Thanks for the recipe!”

  • “This recipe is proof that cooking can be fun! The chicken came out moist and tasty. Great color too! Thanks Gay!”

  • “This made for a fun BBQ with my grandson. I had forgotten that I used up my special chicken spice for a previous meal (another senior’s moment!) so I rubbed the bird with lemon pepper. It was delicious – skin crispy & meat moist. Thanx Gay! “

  • “We raise our own meat chickens, butchered yesterday and poke one in the frig for grilling today.Used your recipe…Oh my…it was sssoooooo yummy wonderful!Think when we finish up with the butchering in a few weeks, I’m going to leave mostof them whole so I can use use your recipe. I was quick, simple, got to enjoy the garden while it was grilling.Had left over potato salad and slapped some garlic bread on the grill.How much easier can it get?Thankyou so much for sharing!”

  • “Loved the novelty of this idea but also loved the flavourful, juicy chicken that resulted. Thanks for posting!”

  • “What an incredibly moist and tasty chicken.We made this last night and it turned out perfect.The only diffrence is we didn’t use tall boys.It still turned out wonderful. I have to say the time of cooking is spot on, it was perfectly cooked. Thank you Gay for this “oh so good” chicken, that we will use often.”

  • “LOVE this recipe!So easy and the outcome is tasty juicy chicken. Used chicken seasoning rub all over and inside and also put some inside the beer can.Great chicken and super easy!”

  • “This is the best chicken I have ever made as a whole roasted chicken. I used the McCormick grillmate for chicken and used Bud Light Lime.This is the most tender chicken and crispest skin.I made it on a gas grill and it was easy and practically no work.I will make again and again.”

  • “WOW my chicken turned out awesome!!!!!Fall off the bone chicken that was sooooo moist and flavorful…. I did put the rub in the can and only used a 12oz can.My problem was getting the chicken off the beer can :), it’s the little things that kill me!Thanks Gay for a great new dish to my table!”

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